Loading Of Nanoparticles Research Articles

A General "Two-Lock" Strategy to Enhance Drug Loading and Lysosomal Escape in Intelligent Boronate Ester Polymer Nanoparticles for Improved Chemotherapy.

Boronate ester can be used to prepare intelligent polymer nanoparticles (NPs). However, the traditional boronate ester polymer NPs made of boronic acid and diols using a "single-lock" strategy (B-O NPs) exhibit low drug loading capacity (DLC) and insufficient lysosomal escape ability, resulting in limited antitumor efficacy. We develop a "two-lock" strategy that combines dodecanamine and boronic acid using boron-nitrogen (B ← N) coordination to enhance the formation of a boronate ester polymer. Through this strategy, amphiphilic dextran and poly(vinyl alcohol) are synthesized through conjugation with the phenylboronic acid (PBA)/dodecanamine complex. The amphiphilic dextran encapsulates paclitaxel (PTX) to form B-N-O NPs with a higher DLC than their "single-lock" compartments due to enhanced boronate ester stability and improved hydrophobic drug-polymer interactions. Moreover, the B-N-O NPs release more PTX under acidic conditions compared with the B-O NPs. To demonstrate the generality of this "two-lock" strategy, eight polymer prodrug B-N-O NPs employing poly(vinyl alcohol) or dextran, along with PBA-modified gemcitabine, fluorouracil, and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin, or boronic acid-containing bortezomib and dodecanamine, are prepared, showing overall enhanced DLC and higher responsive drug release efficiency compared to B-O NPs. Importantly, B-N-O NPs with a combination of dodecanamine and boronic acid show a better lysosomal escape capability than B-O NPs. Moreover, B-N-O NPs exhibit stronger cytotoxicity compared to B-O NPs and free drugs in vitro. Their enhanced drug loading, responsive drug release, and lysosomal escape abilities contribute to enhanced antitumor efficacy in vivo. This "two-lock" strategy can be a general and convenient method to prepare responsive polymer NPs with enhanced anticancer efficacy.

Polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystals enhanced by functional nanofibers loaded with CuS NPs and ATO NPs for efficient smart windows and advanced infrared camouflage/anti-counterfeiting technologies

The development of multifunctional smart windows with infrared anti-counterfeiting capabilities is a key research priority. However, achieving both high visible light (VIS) transparency and effective near-infrared (NIR) blocking remains a significant challenge. In this study, a multi-field responsive polymer stabilized cholesteric liquid crystal (PSCLC) smart window was successfully prepared. By adjusting the electric field, the smart window enables controlled adjustment of incident VIS and NIR light for temperature control. Optimization of polymerization conditions and nanofiber loading enhanced the bandwidth reflectance from 256 to 507 nm. The smart window employs an optimized drive scheme for coordinated IR modulation via direct current (DC). The copper sulfide (CuS) and antimony tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles were loaded in the PSCLC system using electrostatic spinning technique. The loading of nanoparticles using nanofibers greatly increased the number of nanoparticles compared to direct doping of nanoparticles. Therefore, the nanofibers loaded with nanoparticles greatly enhanced the infrared shielding ability and electrical response of the system. In addition, the enhancement of nanofibers also improves the thermal and electrical durability of the PSCLC smart window, and the controlled distribution of nanofibers results in a highly flexible and reliable infrared anti-counterfeiting smart window. This research provides the development of multifunctional liquid crystal smart windows with infrared light modulation, camouflage and anti-counterfeiting functions.

Nanoscale Poly(Dopamine)‐Modified ZIF‐8 Particle Hybrid Solvent‐Resistant Thin Film Nanocomposite (TFN) Membranes via Interfacial Polymerization on a Robust Polyether Ether Ketone (PEEK) Substrate

ABSTRACTThis study introduces an innovative approach to fabricating a poly ether ketone (PEEK)‐based thin‐film nanocomposite (TFN) nanofiltration membrane. Ultrafine polydopamine (PDA) modified zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) nanoparticles were integrated into the polyamide (PA) layer through a process of interfacial polymerization. The impacts of PDA@ZIF‐8 nanoparticle loading on composite membranes were examined, and their separation performances with different solvents and small molecular organics with various molecular weights and charges were evaluated. The PDA modification is credited with inducing a thinner, less crosslinked PA layer, culminating in the formation of a selective barrier that is both loose and ultra‐thin, improving the separation capabilities of membranes. The TFN‐3 membrane, with a 0.01 wt% loading of PDA@ZIF‐8 nanoparticles, emerged as a standout, demonstrating notably enhanced hydrophilicity. The pure water and organic solvent permeances through the TFN‐3 membrane were remarkably enhanced, with recorded values of 6.19 ± 0.26 L h−1 m−2 bar−1 for pure water and 3.44 ± 0.21 L h−1 m−2 bar−1 for methanol. Furthermore, the TFN‐3 membrane showcased impressive molecular retention in ethanol solutions for compounds with a molecular weight cut‐off (MWCO) of 464 g/mol. The PEEK‐based TFN‐3 membrane also exhibited exceptional creep resistance, ensuring consistent performance during long‐term testing. In a 5‐day ethanol separation test, the TFN‐3 membrane maintained a Rose Bengal (RB) retention rate exceeding 99%, underscoring its stability and reliability. The newly developed PEEK‐based TFN membrane not only promises robust solvent resistance and stability but also delivers efficient separation and purification capabilities. It holds great potential for offering effective and sustainable solutions across a spectrum of industries, particularly in pharmaceutical production and chemical processing, where the separation, recovery, and purification of solvents are paramount.

Synthesis and potent antibacterial activity of nano-CuFe2O4/MoS2@Ag composite under visible light

With antibiotic resistance on the rise due to misuse, the urgent need for new antibacterial materials has become paramount in global health. Herein, a CuFe2O4/MoS2 (CFM) composite with a large specific surface area was synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method and physical adsorption, and the subsequent loading of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) onto its surface yielded the nanocomposite CuFe2O4/MoS2@Ag (CFMA) with a rough defect-rich surface. The nanocomposite demonstrates remarkable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and drug-resistant Salmonella (T-Salmonella) by releasing metal ions that alter the electrical potential of bacterial cell membranes, compromise the integrity of cell membranes, and produce reactive oxygen species that lead to oxidative stress. It thus achieves an antibacterial rate of 96 % against the three tested bacterial strains within just 20 min at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. The composite exhibits a broad-spectrum antibacterial effect against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as drug-resistant bacteria. Moreover, CFM acts as a carrier that effectively prevents the aggregation of Ag NPs, and the magnetism of CuFe2O4 facilitates the recovery of the antibacterial agent. This work provides new ideas and methods for the development of highly efficient, cost-effective, and biocompatible antibacterial materials.

Efficient Biomarker for Immunotherapy: Measuring Broad Clones Effector Tumor Antigen-Specific T Cells in the Blood of Esophageal Cancer Patients.

Cancer is the result of the interactions between tumor cells and tumor-specific immune responses. The current biomarkers detect tumor cells' properties, but accurate measurement of tumor-specific immunity is lacking. Most immunotherapies work by activating new effector tumor antigen-specific T cells (ETASTs) or reactivating pre-existing ETASTs' repertoire. The responses to immunotherapy depend on the increase of ETASTs. The amount of ETASTs, especially in blood, is critical for therapeutic efficacy. Distinguishing ETASTs from other T cells by their structural characteristics is difficult. Therefore, nanoparticles loading whole tumor antigens are utilized to activate broad clones ETASTs pre-existing in peripheral blood, followed by detecting them. Thus, the differences between ETASTs and other T cells are transformed to the differences between activated states and unactivated states. By measuring the markers of activated states and cytotoxic functions, we can distinguish ETASTs from other T cells. Nanoparticles loading mixed multiple allogeneic tumor tissue lysates or mixed multiple tumor cell lines can be utilized as universal nanoparticles to replace nanoparticles loading personalized tumor tissue. ETASTs (TATAN-activated CD8+IFN-γ+) in esophageal cancer patients are more than those in healthy people. Measurement of the ETASTs in the blood of esophageal cancer patients before and after ongoing therapy showed that ETATSs increased in the blood of patients who were responsive to immunotherapy but did not increase in the blood of nonresponders. These illustrated that therapeutic efficacy was positively correlated with the level of ETASTs in PBMC. Altogether, this study provides us a highly accurate and specific biomarker for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of cancer immunotherapy and potentially other therapies, such as radiotherapy.

Engineering noble metal-free nickel catalysts for highly efficient liquid fuel production from waste polyolefins under mild conditions

Polyolefin wastes, while posing environmental threats, also offer potential as carbon feedstocks. Hydroconversion techniques show promise in direct transforming polyolefin wastes into liquid fuels, yet practicality is impeded by the prohibitive cost of noble metal-based catalysts or the inferior performance of base metal alternatives. This study introduces a bifunctional 0.5Ni/Beta catalyst, featuring fine Ni nanoparticles (3 nm, 0.5 wt% loading) on Beta zeolite, as a highly efficient catalyst for liquid fuel production from diverse polyolefins. This catalyst achieves a notable production rate of 1643 gliquid∙gNi−1∙h−1 and over 86 % selectivity to liquid fuels (C5-20) under 280 °C, surpassing state-of-the-art noble-metal-free catalysts. Ni particle size controlled by chelators, along with the ratio of Ni to Brønsted acid sites, emerged as crucial performance descriptors. Precise control over the loading of fine Ni nanoparticles (∼1%), not only enhances (de)hydrogenation function but also effectively maintains the Brønsted acidity of Beta zeolites. The Ni/Beta catalyst exhibits resistance to coke deposition and tolerance to various typical impurities, showing promise in practical implementation. This noble metal-free Ni/Beta thus represents an evolving generation of catalyst, propelling sustainable liquid fuel production from plastic wastes.

One-step on-chip preparation of nanoparticle-conjugated red blood cell carriers

Red blood cell (RBC)-based carriers have emerged as promising vehicles for drug delivery due to their inherent biocompatibility and biodegradability. Traditional methods for loading nanoparticles (NPs) onto RBC surfaces often involve labor-intensive processes like incubation and multiple centrifugation steps, limiting their practicality and controllability. In this study, we introduce a fully integrated acoustofluidic platform that enables one-step preparation of NP-loaded RBC carriers with controlled modification and on-site purification. By incorporating a high-frequency bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator into a microfluidic chip, we utilize acoustic streaming effects to manipulate the movement and interaction of RBCs and NPs within the microchannel. This design allows for precise control over NP loading efficiency by adjusting the input power to the resonator. Experimental results using 200 nm positively charged fluorescent NPs demonstrate that our platform significantly enhances the interaction between RBCs and NPs, achieving efficient and controllable surface loading of NPs onto RBCs. Furthermore, the platform simplifies post-processing by directing excess NPs to waste outlets, eliminating the need for repetitive washing and centrifugation. This acoustofluidics approach not only automates the loading process but also offers high controllability, highlighting its potential for various applications in particle and cell surface modification.

PH-Responsive Modified HAMA Microspheres Regulate the Inflammatory Microenvironment of Intervertebral Discs.

Currently, intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is believed to lead to local accumulation of lactic acid in the IVD, a decrease in pH, activation of the inflammatory pathway, and continued destruction of homeostasis of the IVD. To address these issues, the intelligent and accurate release of drugs is particularly important. In this study, acid-sensitive release methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) microspheres were constructed by using microfluidic technology, which can be used as a targeted drug delivery system for intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) through Schiff base chemical bonding on the surface of the microspheres to achieve intelligent drug release. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1 Ra) is a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory antagonist of the interleukin-1 family of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Despite its outstanding broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory effects, IL-1 Ra has a short biological half-life (4-6 h). The slow-release performance of IL-1 Ra can be greatly improved using bovine serum albumin nanoparticles (BNP). In addition, the modified HAMA microspheres exhibited good injectability and porosity, and efficient and uniform loading of nanoparticles was achieved via the Schiff base bond. The inflammatory microenvironment can be significantly reversed by transporting the modified HAMA microspheres-BNPs (Modified MS) to the degenerative nucleus pulposus.

Hybrid Nanofluid Flow in Microchannel With Fins: Thermal-Hydraulic, Entropy Generation and Energy Management Analysis

This study aims to numerically analyze the thermal-hydraulic performances and total entropy generation of mono-nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid in microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) with fins for laminar flow regime. Besides, the performance evaluation plots (PEPs) are plotted to explore the possibilities of energy saving for mono-nanofluid and hybrid nanofluid flow in MCHS with different fin configurations. The two-phase model is adopted to model the flow of nanofluid in the MCHS. The fin height, fin number, and nanoparticles loading are varied to investigate their effect on the heat transfer, flow characteristic, and entropy generation in the MCHS. It is discovered that 1.0% Al2O3–Cu hybrid nanofluid gives the least total entropy generation if compared to water and Al2O3 mono-nanofluid owing to the significant heat transfer enhancement it offered. The MCHS with 5 fins and a fin height of 0.8 mm configuration is found to be the optimal design for heat removal in this study. Moreover, the plotted PEPs show that the use of Al2O3–Cu hybrid nanofluid and Al2O3 nanofluid (with the concentration range of 0.1%–1.0%) in the MCHS can save energy at either constant pressure drop or flow rate.

Efficient Predictor for Immunotherapy Efficacy: Detecting Pan-Clones Effector Tumor Antigen Antigen-Specific T Cells in Blood by Nanoparticles Loading Whole Tumor Antigens.

Cancer involves tumor cells and tumor-specific immunity. The ability to accurately quantify tumor-specific immunity is limited. Most immunotherapies function by activating new effector tumor antigen-specific T cells (ETASTs) or reactivating the pre-existing ETASTs repertoire. Therefore, the amount of ETASTs can be used to characterize immunotherapy efficacy. Tumor antigens are highly heterogeneous and detecting most ETASTs is challenging. Therefore, nanoparticles loading whole-cell tumor antigens are used to activate and detect pan-clones ETASTs in the blood. The differences between ETASTs and other T cells are transformed into activated and non-activated states. By measuring markers of the activated status and cytotoxic function of ETASTs, it can distinguish ETASTs from other T cells. ETASTs in patients with lung cancer are higher than those in healthy individuals and those with benign pulmonary nodules. Therapeutic efficacy positively correlated with the number of ETASTs in the blood. ETATS levels increase only in the blood of patients who respond to immunotherapy. Single-cell sequencing studies validated these findings. This study provides a highly accurate, specific, non-invasive, and efficient biomarker for predicting immunotherapy efficacy in lung and other cancers. This method can also be applied to evaluate the efficacy of other treatments, such as radiotherapy, oncolytic viruses, and nanomedicine-based therapies.

Mild photothermal activation of TRPV1 pathway for enhanced calcium ion overload therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) pathway can result in the disruption of intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+) homeostasis, but how to effectively control the process of Ca2+ overload needs to be addressed for tumor treatment. Herein, we developed a mild photothermal activation of TRPV1 pathway strategy for enhanced Ca2+ overload therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma, in which the multifunctional nanoparticle (CNQ) loading with CaCO3, a novel polycyclic conjugated small molecule (2Br-NDIA) and quercetin (Qu) as the core for the efficient mild photothermal therapy (PTT). The photothermal property of CNQ can specifically activate the TRPV1 channel, which leads to mitochondrial Ca2+ overloading and the disruption of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. This CNQ-mediated activation of the TRPV1 channel by mild PTT provides an emerging paradigm for enhancing mitochondrial Ca2+ overload therapy and dismantling tumor self-defense, safely expanding cancer therapies for highly refractory tumors.

Inside Ceramics and Between MgO Grains: Solid-State Synthesis of Intergranular Semiconducting or Magnetic Spinels.

Configurations of composite metal oxide nanoparticles are typically far off their thermodynamic equilibrium state. As such they represent a versatile but so far overlooked source material for the intergranular solid-state chemistry inside ceramics. Here, it is demonstrated how the admixture of Fe3+ and In3+ ions to MgO nanoparticles, as achieved by flame spray pyrolysis, can be used to engage ion exsolution, phase separation, and subsequent spinel formation inside the network of diamagnetic and insulating MgO grains. Extremely high uniformity in the distribution of intergranular ferrimagnetic MgFe2O4 films and grains with resulting magnetic coercivity values that depend on the nanoparticles' initial Fe3+ concentration is achieved. Moreover, percolating networks of semiconducting MgIn2O4 are derived from MgO nanoparticles with admixtures of 20 at% In3+ that gives rise to an enhancement of dc conductivity values by more than five orders of magnitude in comparison to the insulating MgO host. The here presented approach is general and applicable to the synthesis of a variety of functional spinel nanostructures embedded inside ceramic matrices. Nanoparticle loading with aliovalent impurity ions, the level of nanoparticle powder density after compaction, and sintering temperature are key parameters for this novel type of solid-state chemistry in between the host grains.

Aligning halloysite nanotubes in elastomer toward flexible film with enhanced dielectric constant

Naturally occurring halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are considered electrically insulating counterparts of carbon nanotubes, and they are always randomly distributed in the reported polymer composites. With the recent optimization in advanced processing techniques for the production of muti-functional polymer composites, efficiently aligning micro-/nano-fillers in polymer matrix have been available. Here, we fabricate such aligned HNTs-silicon elastomer (PDMS) composites enabled by alternating current (AC) electric field driven alignment and report that at 7 wt% HNTs loading, the dielectric constant of aligned HNTs/PDMS composite film is almost 150 % (8.46 vs 5.71) higher than that of unaligned one at measurement frequency of 1 kHz. It is also observed that such high loading of nanoparticles brings negligible increase in dielectric loss and does not compromise much of the flexibility. This work provides a renewed understanding of the potential of aligning fillers in polymer matrix, allowing the proper utilization of the high polarization and extremely low dielectric loss predicted for HNTs in the fabrication of polymer composite dielectrics.

Construction of magnetic Fe2O3-Decorated electroactive Poly(amic acid) composites as recyclable Catalysts: Increased loading of gold Nanoparticles, Controlled Size, and Accelerated catalytic reduction of 4-Nitrophenol

Nanocomposites are widely used in heterogeneous catalysts in the field of water treatment, which exhibit controllable structural advantages and synergistic effects between their components further enhancing catalytic activity. In the current research, we developed the Au nanoparticles immobilized magnetic γ-Fe2O3/Electroactive Poly (amic acid) composite (6Au/EPAA-Fe2O3) prepared by using the in-situ redox reaction strategy. Sundry techniques such as FT-IR, XRD, TGA, SEM/HR-TEM, CV, and XPS analysis have been applied to explain the chemical structure and morphology of as-synthesized composites. The catalytic performance of the catalyst during the reduction of 4-nitrophenol using NaBH4 as a hydrogen donor was assessed in an aqueous medium at room temperature. Attractively, 6Au/EPAA-Fe2O3 composite exhibits superior catalytic performance, which completes the reduction of 4-NP within the 50 s. The pseudo-first-order kinetic rate constants were estimated as 3.0 × 10-2 s−1 for the reduction of 4-NP. Furthermore, the 6Au/EPAA-Fe2O3 composite has excellent stability and reproducibility of 10 consecutive runs by using an external magnet without loss of catalytic activity.

Flexible poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/copper oxide nanocomposites: A promising avenue for energy storage applications

The use of metal oxide nanoparticles in polymeric materials to improve optical properties, dielectric constant, mechanical strength, and electrical conductivity has generated significant interest in fabricating flexible optoelectronic and energy storage devices. Herein, copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticle-reinforced poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) nanocomposites were prepared using a solvent-free two roll mill mixing method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis reveals the distinct absorption peaks of CuO in the EVA matrix. The addition of CuO nanoparticles improved the crystallinity of EVA, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The addition of CuO to EVA led to an increase in the refractive index and a decrease in bandgap energy, as well as a broadening and intensification of UV–visible absorption, indicating strong interactions between CuO nanoparticles and the EVA matrix. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) revealed a homogeneous dispersion of CuO nanoparticles throughout the EVA matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) demonstrated that the incorporation of CuO nanoparticles into EVA significantly enhanced its thermal properties. The electrical characteristics studies showed that the AC conductivity and dielectric constant of EVA increased significantly with increasing temperatures and CuO nanoparticle loading levels. EVA containing 5 wt% CuO exhibited the highest conductivity and the lowest activation energy. CuO nanoparticle reinforcement significantly enhanced the tensile, tear, and impact strength of EVA while reducing elongation at break up to a particular concentration. The nanocomposites containing 5 wt% CuO exhibited the highest tensile, tear resistance, and impact strengths, outperforming virgin EVA by 85 %, 103.6 %, and 83.16 %, respectively. These findings suggest that EVA/CuO nanocomposites are promising candidates for flexible dielectric materials.

Green synthesis of boehmite-reinforced cashew gum/polypyrrole biopolymer blend for advanced biomaterials

Electrically conducting biopolymer blend nanocomposites based on different contents of boehmite (BHM) reinforced cashew gum (CG) /polypyrrole (PPy) blend is synthesized by an in situ polymerization technique using water as a green solvent. The resulting bio-blend nanocomposites underwent comprehensive analysis concerning their structural, morphology, thermal, and electrical properties, such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss, electric modulus, and AC conductivity. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra revealed the presence of metal oxide stretching in the blended nanocomposite at 512 cm−1. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) confirmed the attachment and uniform dispersion of BHM within the CG/PPy blend at 7 wt% loading, and beyond this loading, the nanoparticles get agglomerated in the biopolymer blend. The glass transition temperature and thermal stability of all the blended nanocomposites are higher than that of the pure CG/PPy blend and these thermal properties increase with the loading of nanoparticles. Conductivity experiments demonstrated that as the nanofiller content increases up to 7 wt%, there is a concurrent rise observed in AC conductivity, dielectric loss, and dielectric constant. There is a substantial difference of 1.21 Scm−1 between the maximum and minimum AC electrical conductivity, at 102 Hz. However, a decrease in electrical properties is observed at the highest loadings of BHM due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles in the polymer blend matrix. The lowest activation energy value (0.049 × 10−4 eV) is also exhibited by 7 wt% BHM nanocomposites. Furthermore, the electrical properties of both CG/PPy and CG/PPy/BHM nanocomposites exhibited a temperature-dependent behavior, progressively increasing until reaching maximum values. This study suggests that such bio-based polymer dielectrics could be promising materials for various applications, offering enhanced thermal and electrical properties through careful control of nanofiller content and dispersion.

Improving the Mechanical, Thermoelectric Insulations, and Wettability Properties of Acrylic Polymers: Effect of Silica or Cement Nanoparticles Loading and Plasma Treatment.

The acrylic polymer composites in this study are made up of various weight ratios of cement or silica nanoparticles (1, 3, 5, and 10 wt%) using the casting method. The effects of doping ratio/type on mechanical, dielectric, thermal, and hydrophobic properties were investigated. Acrylic polymer composites containing 5 wt% cement or silica nanoparticles had the lowest abrasion wear rates and the highest shore-D hardness and impact strength. The increase in the inclusion of cement or silica nanoparticles enhanced surface roughness, water contact angle (WCA), and thermal insulation. Acrylic/cement composites demonstrated higher mechanical, electrical, and thermal insulation properties than acrylic/silica composites because of their lower particle size and their low thermal/electrical conductivity. Furthermore, to improve the surface hydrophobic characteristics of acrylic composites, the surface was treated with a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma jet. The DBD plasma jet treatment significantly enhanced the hydrophobicity of acrylic polymer composites. For example, the WCA of acrylic composites containing 5 wt% silica or cement nanoparticles increased from 35.3° to 55° and 44.7° to 73°, respectively, by plasma treatment performed at an Ar flow rate of 5 L/min and for an exposure interval of 25 s. The DBD plasma jet treatment is an excellent and inexpensive technique for improving the hydrophobic properties of acrylic polymer composites. These findings offer important perspectives on the development of materials coating for technical applications.

Self-supported electrochemical sensor based on uniform palladium nanoparticles functionalized porous graphene film for monitoring H2O2 released from living cells.

Graphene film has been considered a promising material for the construction of self-supported electrodes due to its favorable flexibility and high conductivity. However, the film fabricated from pristine graphene or conventional graphene sheet reduced graphene oxide processes limited electrocatalytic performance. Decorating active metal species or incorporating heteroatoms intothegraphene framework have been proved to be effective methods to enhance the electrocatalytic efficiency of graphene film-based self-supported electrodes. Herein, we present a freestanding electrode composed of uniform Pd nanoparticles decorating N,S co-doped porous graphene film (Pd/NSPGF) and explore its practical application in differentiating various human colon cell types by in situ tracking the amount of H2O2 secreted from live cells. Our findings reveal that, on the one hand, the NSPGF has abundant surface and inner pores, which promote active site exposure, and mass diffusion during electrochemical reactions; on the other hand, the substitutional doping ofthe graphene framework with heteroatoms (e.g., N or S) can tailor its electronic and chemical properties, and facilitate the uniform loading of high-density Pd nanoparticles. Moreover, the intrinsic activity of Pd/NSPGF is regulated by the interaction of Pd nanoparticles withtheNSPGF support. Taking the advantages of morphology and composition, the self-supported Pd/NSPGF electrode displays remarkable electrochemical performance with a wide linear range up to 2.0mM, low detection limit of 0.1μM (S/N = 3), high sensitivity of 665 µA cm-2mM-1, and good selectivity. When applied in real-time trackingofthe H2O2 released from normal human colon epithelial cells and human colorectal cancer cells, the Pd/NSPGF-based electrochemical sensing system can distinguish the cell types by testing the number of extracellular H2O2 molecules released per cell, which holds considerable potential for early detection and monitoring of disease-related clinical specimens.

Preparation of PbS/TiO2 nanotube films for enhanced photoelectrochemical response and cathodic protection performance

Anodic oxidation method and sonication-assisted successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (S-SILAR) process were used to prepare TiO2 nanotube films and PbS/TiO2 nanotube films. The effects of impregnation times on photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance of PbS/TiO2 nanotube films were systematically studied. The PEC properties were evaluated by UV–vis DRS, I-t, EIS and coupling potential. When PbS nanoparticles were impregnated for 15 times, the bandgap of PbS/TiO2 was narrowed to 1.4 eV, and the photocurrent density could reach 4.14 mA﹒cm−2, which increased by 12.8 times compared with TiO2. PbS nanoparticles loading onto TiO2 nanotube films is a simple and effective way to enhanced PEC response and cathodic protection performance.

Enhanced low-temperature methane oxidation over Pd supported Mn-doped NiO catalyst

This study introduces a novel catalyst system comprising Pd nanoparticles loaded onto Mn-doped NiO for the efficient oxidation of methane (CH4) at low temperatures. The loading of Pd nanoparticles onto the Mn-doped support has yielded a catalyst with exceptional activity and stability, as evidenced by the lowest T50 temperature of 276 °C and a CH4 conversion reaching 97% at 325 °C. The catalyst demonstrates optimized reaction kinetics with the lowest activation energy of 69.2 kJ mol–1. The catalyst's superior performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of the Pd/Mn-NiO composite, which include a higher Pd2+/Pd4+ ratio, increased adsorptive oxygen concentration (Oads/Ototal), and a reduced Ni3+/Ni2+ ratio. These characteristics collectively enhance the catalytic activity for CH4 oxidation. The Mars-van Krevelen mechanism underpins the oxidation process, with Pd2+ identified as the principal active site for CH4 adsorption and dissociation. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy coupled with mass spectrometry elucidates the pathway of surface reactive oxygen species in the formation of key intermediates, such as formates, and underscores the accelerated decomposition of carbonate facilitated by the Pd modification on the Mn-NiO surface. The findings signify a significant advancement in the development of catalysts for environmental and energy-related applications, particularly in the mitigation of CH4 emissions.